Key package



Sept. ,15, 1959 N. A. WELCH v,2,904,172

KEY PACKAGE Filed Aug. 2l, 1957 INVENTOR. /V/cHoL/s WE1. cH.

MKM

United KEY PACKAGE Nicholas A. Welch, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to 'ghe American Hardware Corporation, New Britain,

onn.

Application August Z1, 1957, Serial No. 679,462

9 Claims. (Cl. 206-'46) This invention relates to a key package and more particularly to a fusible package for master keys and the like.

It is desirable that some articles, such as keys for locks, be delivered to persons authorized to receive them in such a manner that they cannot be copied, and this is particularly important in connection with master keys. In order to prevent them from being copied, it is necessary that these keys be delivered in such a manner that the tumbler notches of the key cannot be seen since an experienced person could identify them so that he could duplicate the key from just seeing said notches.

An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a package in which the key is contained and in which said key cannot be seen prior to being delivered to the authorized person, but from which package the key may be easily removed by said person.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a package for keys and the like in which the key cannot be seen, but from which it may be readily removed by simply dipping the package into hot water or otherwise applying heat thereto.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view of a package embodying the present invention with the key contained therein shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of said package, partly in horizontal section.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modified form of the invention with the key shown partly in section.

As shown in the drawing, the numeral 5 denotes a conventional key for pin tumbler locks, and the numeral 6 denotes the package provided for said key in accordance with the present invention.

The said package 6 is in the form of a unitary ingot which is preferably cast, or otherwise formed, around the key in any shape or design that may be desired, whereby said key is completely imbedded therein. The package is made of an opaque material having a low melting point, preferably of one of the low melting alloys, such as Woods Metal, which are composed of bismuth, lead and tin and which may also include cadmium or mercury. It is preferred that the melting point of the material -be lower than the temperature at which water will boil, approximately 212 degrees F., but not less than 105 degrees F.; the preferred melting point being about 160 degrees F. A metal is preferred because its specific gravity is greater than that of water and it will therefore sink to the bottom of the container when boiling water is used to melt the package, ybut other materials such as opaque wax or low melting point plastics may be used if desired.

The package may be provided with a wire ring 7 which is inserted through the conventional hole 8 of the States .patent QI.

y 2,904,172 `Patented Sep-t. 1.5, `lili-5i) ice key and projects outside of the package so that "it can be used to support the key while the package is being removed therefrom.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 3, the said ring 7 may be omitted and a hole 9 may be molded in the package, in alignment with the hole 8 of the key, so that a suitable holder may be inserted through the package and key for supporting the key while the package is being removed.

In the intended use of this invention, the key would be packaged by the manufacturer of the lock for which it is intended and retained in the package until it is delivered directly to the person authorized to receive it. The said person then holds the package by the ring 7, or by other suitable means inserted through the holes 9 and 8 in the package and key, and suspends it in boiling water. The package material will then melt and sink to the bottom of the water container thereby leaving the key clean and in the hands of the only person authorized to see it.

It will be understood from the above description that the present invention provides a novel method of packaging keys or other articles in such a manner that they cannot be seen while in the package but may be quickly removed therefrom by simply melting the package.

I Claim:

l. A package for keys and like articles comprising an ingot of an opaque metallic material having a melting point below the temperature of boiling water and a specific gravity greater than that of water whereby the said package may be removed from the article by being immersed in water at substantially boiling temperature and the material will precipitate to the bottom of the water container.

2. The method Iof packaging a key which comprises casting an ingot of an opaque fusible material, having a melting point lower than that of boiling water, around said key.

3. A key package comprising an ingot of opaque fusi- Ible material having a key imbedded therein and being of sufficient thickness to completely conceal the shape of said key, said material having a melting point lower than the temperature of boiling water.

4. A key package comprising an ingot of opaque fusible material having a key imbedded therein, said material filling all of the interstices of said key to conceal its shape and having a melting point lower than the temperature of boiling Water.

5. A key package comprising an ingot of opaque fusible material having a key imbedded therein, said material filling all of the interstices of said key to conceal its shape and having a melting point between F. and the temperature of boiling water.

6. A key package comprising an ingot of opaque fusible material having a key imbedded therein and 'being of suthcient thickness to conceal the shape of the key, said material having a specific gravity greater than that of water and a melting point less than 212 F.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 wherein said key package includes a supporting member attached to said key and projecting exteriorly of the ingot for supporting the key while the ingot material is being removed therefrom.

8. A key package comprising an ingot of opaque metallic material having a key imbedded therein, said material filling all of the interstices of said key to conceal its shape and having a specific gravity greater than that of Water and a melting point between 105 and 212 F.

9. A key package comprising an ingot of fusible metallic material having a key imbedded therein, said material 3 having a speoiic gravity greater than that of Water and a melting point below 212 F., said key `and said ingot having aligned openings therein whereby a supporting member may be inserted through said openings for supporting the key while the ingot material is being removed 5 therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,657,123 Hollar et al. Jan. 24, 1928 1,797,199 Paige Mar. 17, 1931 1,982,932 Scribner Dee. 4, 1934 

